Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Big Pharma Loves This Stock

If orphan drugs and rare diseases were a theme of 2013's biotech bull market, then today's $700 million deal between Alnylam and Sanofi is a sign it isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Alynlam wasn't just on the receiving end. It went out and acquired fellow RNAi specialist Sirna Therapeutics from Merck for just a fraction of what the Big Pharma paid for it in 2006.

In this video, Motley Fool health-care analyst David Williamson discusses the specifics of the deals, what Sanofi is gaining, why the market loves Alnylam, and why 2015, with half a dozen proof-of-concept trials reporting, will be a big year for the stock.

Our top stock for 2014
There's a huge difference between a good stock, and a stock that can make you rich. The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for 2014, and it's one of those stocks that could make you rich. You can find out which stock it is in the special free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2014." Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

The article Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Big Pharma Loves This Stock originally appeared on Fool.com.

David Williamson owns shares of Merck. Follow David on Twitter: @MotleyDavid.The Motley Fool recommends Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2014 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.